Baraliu: Destructive power centers do not favor peace in the Balkans

Constitutional law professor Mazllum Baraliu stated that regardless of accusations, the investigation and judicial proceedings should reveal who is responsible for the explosion in the Ibar-Lepenac canal. However, he emphasized that it is clear many destructive power centers are not in favor of peace in the Balkans.

"Nobody knows who did what, but this enigma has slowly begun to unravel. Certain government officials have spoken up, but those claims should be proven through institutional judicial proceedings," Baraliu told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on Prime Minister Albin Kurti's allegations of Serbia's direct involvement, Baraliu said that since coming to power, Aleksandar Vucic has pursued policies detrimental to Kosovo.
"That intention was openly stated by certain politicians, including Vucic, that they will never recognize Kosovo as an independent state," Baraliu said.

He noted that this has been demonstrated not only in the case of Banjska but also in many events before and after it.

"In fact, the withdrawal [of Serbian representatives] from institutions was an agreement achieved through the signed Brussels agreements, involving Vucic, Dacic, and other representatives of Serbia and Kosovo," Baraliu explained.

He argued that neither the authorities in Pristina nor Belgrade should make accusations without evidence and that everything should be left to judicial authorities.

"If this was done by an 'invisible hand,' meaning organized crime without the support of any state—in this case, Serbia—then, of course, it must be investigated, as Vucic has expressed his willingness to cooperate and even acknowledge the findings of investigations conducted by all, including international participants," the professor emphasized.

He believes the recent incident is also the result of destructive power centers, which he identifies not only in Russia and Beijing but also in other parts of the world.

"Nobody needed the conflicts of the 1990s on this blessed land of the Balkans, just as nobody needs them today or tomorrow. But there are forces, dark power centers, that unfortunately do not want positive developments to happen, do not want democratic, humane, and people-centered measures to be chosen. Instead, they resort to other means, policies that are unfortunately more destructive than constructive, driven by ideas and ideologies that lead nowhere. War leads nowhere, benefits no one. Influenced by the war between Russia and Ukraine, certain forces seek to create turbulence. Naturally, Beijing is part of this, but so are other power centers worldwide," Baraliu concluded.